Field Operations Specialist

Date: May 30, 2025

Location: Irvine, California, US

Company: Kia America, Inc.

At Kia, we’re creating award-winning products and redefining what value means in the automotive industry. It takes a special group of individuals to do what we do, and we do it together. Our culture is fast-paced, collaborative, and innovative. Our people thrive on thinking differently and challenging the status quo. We are creating something special here, a culture of learning and opportunity, where you can help Kia achieve big things and most importantly, feel passionate and connected to your work every day.

Kia provides team members with competitive benefits including premium paid medical, dental and vision coverage for you and your dependents, 401(k) plan matching of 100% up to 6% of the salary deferral, and paid time off. Kia also offers company lease and purchase programs, company-wide holiday shutdown, paid volunteer hours, and premium lifestyle amenities at our corporate campus in Irvine, California.

Status

Exempt

Summary

This role is responsible for program and budget oversight, as well as project management, as it pertains to incentive programs administered by the Field Operations department.  The position will manage the administration of all appropriate KUS/Kia NA channels, materials, and vendors through process improvement, development, communication and execution.  This position supports all Field Operations incentive programs, including but not limited to Kia Performance Center (KPC, which includes Sales Elite), Field Staff incentives, and Retail/Dealer incentive programs. The position will also be responsible for conducting research and analyses, trending and benchmarking, and responsible for ongoing (daily, weekly, monthly) reporting and resource development to support Field, Region, and Dealer effectiveness.  This position offers an ideal opportunity for expansion into the Field organization, so a desire for such development by the candidate is preferred. The Field Operations Specialist will serve as back-up in the absence of the Sr. Field Operations Manager.

Major Responsibilities

1st Priority - 35%   

Oversee and manage the Kia Performance Center program and associated incentives, including the Sales Elite program, while supervising and coordinating activities with the vendor team.  Ensure timely and accurate data management and incentive payments on a monthly/quarterly/annual basis.  Develop and administer all internal and external communications related to the Kia Performance Center program, including program rules, training courses, incentive bulletins, and e-mail communications..


2nd Priority - 30%

Oversee, maintain, and administer $19 million-dollar budget related processes associated with the Field, Region, and Dealer- related incentives and programs. Act as the primary liaison with the Digital Technology Team, Tax, Finance, HR, the Field, and other relevant departments pertaining to all Dealership personnel and Field/Region incentive programs.


3rd Priority - 20%

Prepare and distribute all Sales & Field Operations reporting and dealer letters, as well as prepare ad hoc analyses, research, trending, benchmarking, Executive presentations, approval decks and any other Field and Dealer resources as needed. Manage ongoing content administration of all Sales & Field Operations systems, materials, resources, and libraries for Field and Dealer use.


4th Priority - 10%

Act as the main point of contact for inquiries from the Field, including responding to and resolving any issues raised in a timely manner.


5th Priority - 5%

 Assist with the creation, implementation and facilitation of a sales training curriculum to improve overall knowledge and performance of KUS Field Manager and supporting Regional staff. 

Education/Certification

  •  Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required

Overall Experience

  • 5+ years’ experience in program/project management, business management or administration, customer service, or data analysis
     
  • 2+ years’ experience in sales and/or operations

Directly Related Experience

  •  Prefer candidates with OEM or vendor management experience

Position Requirements:

  • Occasional travel may be required domestically and/or internationally 
  • May need to work additional hours outside of normal business hours as required by the job, including weekends or holidays
     
  • Perform other duties as assigned
  • Valid driver’s license

Skills

Excellent MS Office suite skills (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel).
Excellent attention to detail
High degree of accuracy and quality-control
Ability to create timely and insightful executive reports and analysis
Excellent communication skills - oral and written
Strong interpersonal skills
Proficiency with SAP, MicroStrategy and other industry data query tools (such as JDPA PIN and IHS Polk) is preferred
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Strong multi-tasking skills.

Competencies

Care for People
Chase Excellence, Every Day
Dare to Push Boundaries
Empower People to Act

Pay Range

$74,859.00 - $97,308.00 

Pay will be based on several variables that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to, job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, etc.

 

Equal Employment Opportunities

KUS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, including pregnancy and childbirth and related medical conditions, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, legally protected physical disability or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, family care or medical leave status, protected veteran or military status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.  KUS complies with applicable law governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which KUS has offices.  The KUS EEO policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.

 

Disclaimer:  The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and for this position.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.


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